20 Questions With Gilberto Santa Rosa: New Album, Salsa Artists’ Future, & Additional Topics

Gilberto Santa Rosa, a salsa icon from Puerto Rico, has released a concept album titled Debut y Segunda Tanda. This is not surprising for an artist who says music is his passion and the music of others is his hobby. His label B2B Music produced Vol. 1 and a deluxe version, which was distributed by Believe.

This is your first album in two years; what inspired you to create Debut y Segunda Tanda?

It’s basic. My original songs are the first to premiere, followed by the covers. Half of the songs were originally recorded by me, while the other half were provided by other artists.

You pay tribute to your colleagues Willie Chirino, Mucho Manolo, Septeto Acarey, Grupo Bahia, Carlos Vives, and Alejandro Sanz on this record. Which of these covers was the most difficult for you to decipher?

I can relate to all of them, even though they are not my songs. However, “Cartas Sobre La Mesa” is my pick because it was initially recorded as an urban song. I’ve previously covered tropical and romantic songs, but this is my first urban cover. Even though salsa and urban have many similarities, beginning with their beginnings, I found this song to be the most strange.

Which of the original songs on your CD is your personal favourite?

Unquestionably “En Defensa Propia.” This song is quite well-written and very Santa Rosa. It is a song designed for expression, and it adds a unique touch to the record.

Which track from Debut and Second Album are you most forward to perform live?

I enjoy everyone of them! Since I choose the songs for my gigs, I would like to perform the entire album because I want my audience to hear it.

Why did you decide to split this album into two separate releases?

The record was separated as a result of my excitement upon entering the studio. I realised I had many tunes, so we chose to focus on the first eight. In addition, time passes very quickly, and a great deal of music is lost along the road. It was then that we decided to release it in two parts.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn to get the latest updates from Cape Town Tribune